NEW Regulations

The training certificate obtained after successfully completing the new course will become a prerequisite for the issuance of the new Certificate of Competency (CoC) and will be called SVO;

The new SVO CoC will become mandatory, for “new entrants”, to be master on a small vessel after the entry into force of the amendments to the Marine personnel regulations (MPR), tentatively in the fall of 2016

The new SVO course will consist of 4 modules:

Basic Module: Mandatory module for all (32 hours) Good for workboats up to 12 m.

Passenger Module: Mandatory additional module for small passenger vessels (6 hours)

1. Candidates who have accumulated 1 month of sea service on passenger vessels will be granted the Passenger Module;

2. Candidates holding a training certificate in MED A2 will be granted the passenger Module.

Fishing Module: Mandatory additional module for fishing vessels (6 hours),
Note: Candidates who have accumulated 6 months of sea service on fishing vessels will be granted the Fishing Module.

Tug module: Mandatory additional module for tugs (6 hours) + 2 months sea service on tugs)

Validity: Subject to the training modules completed, the certificate holder will be qualified as Master on a : – small passenger-carrying vessel of up to 12 meters in length overall (LOA), up to 12 passengers, on Near Coastal Voyages, class 2 or sheltered water voyages; – tug of up to 12 meters length overall (LOA), not towing with a tow line, on Near Coastal Voyages, class 2 or sheltered water voyages; – tug of up to 12 meters length overall (LOA), towing with a tow line, on sheltered water voyages; – fishing vessel of up to 15 gross tonnage or not more than12 meters length overall (LOA), on Near Coastal Voyages, class 2 or sheltered water voyages; – vessel of up to 12 meters, other than a vessel described above on Near Coastal Voyages, class 2 or sheltered water voyages, eg: work boat, service boat, etc.

Certificates to provide to the TC examiner:
a)Training certificate in Small Vessel Operator;
b)Appropriate training certificate in MED with respect to small non-pleasure vessel basic safety;
c)Training certificate in Marine Basic First Aid; and
d)An appropriate radio operator certificate.

The new SVO Certificate of Competency will have a credit card format and will not require renewal every five years; The SVO Certificate of Competency will be required only with the entry into force of the revised Marine Personnel Regulations (MPR).